Disabled toilets

[Deleted member 23692]

Neither. Its just a toilet that's been built to specific dimensions to make it easier for disabled people to access it, unlike parking spaces, there is no inconvenience caused if the facility is being used by a non disabled person, they just queue for a minute or two.

Exactly!

For work purposes I have a RADAR key, which I just see as the key to 'the executive loo'. I'm not denying any disabled person the chance to use it, so it really isn't problem

 

[summerdays]

I've used them. In the past when I was very pregnant and had problems getting into some really small cubicles or to take in a young child. Even last week I used one as it was the only one available in the public area of a building, so available for all but built to be suitable for someone in a wheelchair.

 

[Moodyman]

Does anyone know why they have the small sink and those taps that either spray everywhere or come out in a tiny trickle.

 

[Andy_R]

I've had to use the disabled loo at Seahouses, before a dive. 6.30am, no public loos open yet, dive boat about to leave. No RADAR key! No problem, a dive knife is an effective "shim" to gently ease the lock open without doing any damage

 

[Crackle]

If you're ever confronted and accused with "That's a disabled toilet", Just reply nonchalantly " No it's working but I wouldn't go in for a few minutes if I were you"

 

[Bromptonaut]

I use these facilities without shame, though I'm not disabled.

They're meant to provide easy access, not instant access. Disabled people can queue like the rest of us.

I'd have thought that too. The one disabled guy in the organisation was a Member of the Board and was only there a ouple of days a month. He pointed out that with some disabilities when you've gotta go you have to go NOW!

 

[Ghost Donkey]

I've got a disabled family member so I've been on the other side of this where we've had to wait for access to the only toilet available (which may be some distance from where we were in the first place). It's less of a problem if people are not p!ssing around in them but we've had to wait for a woman who was arguing on her phone in the "privacy" of one disabled toilet in shopping centre. She was so loud everyone could hear her but she wasn't shifting . No radar key lock on that one.

 

[Maz]

Does anyone know why they have the small sink and those taps that either spray everywhere or come out in a tiny trickle.

Small sink because a big sink might be difficult to reach the tap whilst in a wheelchair, for example. The tap tends to be a single-lever style and are easier to operate with one hand. Slow trickle, helps prevent splashback.

 

[captain nemo1701]

Sometimes they are the only toilet and can be thought of as unisex. For heavens sake, don't mistake the red cord for the flush

 

[Sara_H]

I'd have thought that too. The one disabled guy in the organisation was a Member of the Board and was only there a ouple of days a month. He pointed out that with some disabilities when you've gotta go you have to go NOW!

But you're never going to be garunteed instant access, what if a party of wheelchair users were in the building?
People who have a disability that requires instant toilet access tend to be given a card that politely informs other people why they need to jump to the front of the queue. I was presented with one in a nightclub once, and was happy to let the lady go before me, much to the dsgust of the ladies in the queue behind me.

 

[fossyant]

Takes us ages to get my MIL into a disabled toilet. Hard work. Add on she is old and needs to go lots. A day out is stopping between loos.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I've occasionally used a disabled toilet cubicle on long bike rides, mainly because I can bring the bike in there with me, so I don't have to worry about someone pinching it while I attend to 'business'.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

I don't see why not, if it's free then it's just like any other toilet.

 

[stevede]

Small sink because a big sink might be difficult to reach the tap whilst in a wheelchair, for example. The tap tends to be a single-lever style and are easier to operate with one hand. Slow trickle, helps prevent splashback.

As above, but they also have a thermostatic valve built in to prevent scalding (max 40deg I think)

 

[Noodley]

As others have said they are not for exclusive use by disabled people, they are modified to the needs of some dsabled people. I use them all the time, and get tutted at. But I get tutted at a lot - and I mean a LOT - so I usually dinnae notice anymore... I did however once apologise to a moron who "had a go" at me in Edinburgh (at the zoo, in case you were requiring further context) for using the disabled toilet when I walked out as he stood an queued for the non-disabled version. Well, I say I apologised, what I really said was "sorry (that makes it an apology in my book), but could you piss off and stop acting like an arse before I throw you to the lions..."

If there is anyone visibly disabled or who tells me that they "need to go" then I'm fine with that, just don't throw a hissy fit when you see me walking out of the toilet which happens to be modified for use by some disabled people. You nobbers.